When a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, it affects many other people who are in their life. Sometimes, even though they want to make changes, a simple conversation with the person who is struggling isn’t enough to prompt the move to recovery. Instead, it might be time for you to learn how to do an intervention.
What Is An Intervention?
An intervention is a process that is carefully planned. It typically involves several different people, such as friends and family members. A member of the person’s faith, such as a clergy member, might also be present during an intervention.
In some cases, an addiction specialist, therapist, or other medical professional might be consulted prior to beginning the intervention. There are also professional intervention specialists who direct the entire process.
During this process, the people who are part of the intervention gather together and confront the individual about their addiction and the consequences of it. The purpose is to get the person who is struggling with substance abuse disorder to agree to seek treatment.
Specific examples of the destructive behavior that the individual exhibits when under the influence, as well as the effects of this behavior, are outlined during the intervention. A treatment plan that has been pre-arranged, along with guidelines, steps, and goals, is presented to the person. A key component of any intervention is the consequence that the person will face if they do not follow through on seeking out treatment.
How To Do An Intervention
An addiction involves intense emotions for everyone who is affected. This includes the person who is struggling with substance use disorder, as well as close friends and family members. During the organization of the intervention, and the process itself, anger, conflicts, challenges, and even resentment might surface among those people who are involved.
Knowing how to do an intervention helps increase the chances of success. Follow the pointer below to set your loved one up for success:
Plan it out
As tempting as it might be, it’s best to avoid doing an invention on the spur of the moment. Instead, plan it out, consider who should be involved, and what their role should be.
Pick a good time
Choose a day and time when your loved one is least likely to be using addicted substances. Make sure you spend time before then researching the substance so you have a good basic understanding of it.
Choose a point of contact
Select a single person to be the primary point of contact for all things regarding the intervention. Doing so can help the intervention stay organized. Be sure to choose a person who will communicate often with the others involved.
Set up a rehearsal
The rehearsal is a vital part when you’re figuring out how to do an intervention. During this time, you’ll determine who will talk and when they’ll do so, where everyone will sit, and other important details. The rehearsal is also a good time to anticipate your loved one’s reaction and brainstorm calm and rational responses to each of their reasons for not getting treatment or for their previous behavior.
Approach with love and compassion
During the intervention, emphasize the love and care you, and the other people present, feel for your loved one. Point out that it’s not a character flaw and that everyone is there to provide help and support.
Contact Serenity Light for Addiction Treatment
Prior to going through with the intervention, determine the ideal place where your loved one can receive treatment. Serenity Light Recovery offers a range of services including:
- Truly holistic care
- Loving, peaceful, and supportive environment
- Service dog-friendly
- Three-day intensive family program and more
Call our compassionate team today at (281) 431-6700 to learn more about how we can help your loved one.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”
